INDIANAPOLIS (Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024/National FFA Organization) – Seven winners of the 2024 National FFA Agricultural Proficiency Awards were named during the second session of the 97th National FFA Convention & Expo on Thursday, Oct. 24, which is being held in Indianapolis.

Agricultural proficiency awards honor FFA members who, through Supervised Agricultural Experiences (SAEs), have developed specialized skills that they can apply toward their future careers. Students compete in areas ranging from agricultural communications to wildlife management. Proficiency awards are also recognized at local and state levels and provide recognition to members exploring and becoming established in agricultural career pathways.

Today, awards were announced for seven of the 45 categories during the second general convention session.

The recipients are:

Agricultural Communications – Entrepreneurship/Placement
Titus Montgomery
Titus has a weekly radio report called the Southeast Oklahoma Ag Report, which can be heard three times each weekday on The Mix 93.1 FM. Montgomery also started a podcast, “Brag on Ag,” which he produces on his own and is published on all major podcast listening apps. His Supervised Agricultural Experiences have provided him with skills in radio programming and production, advocacy and research, public speaking and writing, and even merchandising. Montgomery is a member of the Red Oak FFA Chapter in Oklahoma, and his FFA advisors are Troy Walker and Leland Walker.

Agricultural Education – Entrepreneurship/Placement
Sophia Gomes
Sophia Gomes has focused her Supervised Agricultural Experience projects on building skills for her future as a middle school agriculture teacher. Through internships with the International Agri-Center and the local University of California extension office, an ambassadorship on the California Milk Advisory Board, and as a facilitator for California FFA Greenhand Leadership Conferences, she has gained experience developing lessons, working with young students in classrooms, and delivering content through virtual and in-person presentations. Gomes is a member of the Tulare FFA Chapter in California, and her FFA advisors are Patrick Mederos, Jared Castle, Samantha Day and Jonathan Woodard.

Agricultural Sales – Entrepreneurship
Gracie Sprague
Gracie Sprague is a supplement dealer selling three products for eight different livestock species. Sprague has learned to operate independently and is responsible for ordering inventory and monitoring sales, customer communication, marketing, and more. Primarily serving livestock exhibitors as customers, Sprague has also served as a mentor and teacher to young people in the industry.  Sprague is a member of the Genoa-Penta FFA Chapter in Ohio, and her FFA advisor is Tricia Schoen.

Agricultural Sales – Placement
Jack Schuster
Jack Schuster excelled in his Supervised Agricultural Experience working for the local Ace Hardware store. Schuster was made head of the paint department and promoted to storewide assistant manager due to his drive and dedication to learning about all aspects of the store. Schuster gained leadership skills through training and managing employees, as well as business skills such as invoicing and sales. Schuster is a member of the Marshall FFA Chapter in Wisconsin, and his FFA advisor is Paula Bakken.

Agriscience Research – Integrated Systems
Trinity Blosch
Trinity Blosch has a Supervised Agricultural Experience involving five years of research on social, environmental, and food systems. Over the years, Blosch has significantly progressed in the complexity of her projects. Her research has included evaluating consumer and student knowledge about food and agriculture and testing bioremediation products used in contaminated fresh water. Blosch is a member of the Stillwater FFA Chapter in Oklahoma, and her FFA advisors are Bailey Kliewer, Carl Nipper, and Robby Branscum.

Agricultural Services – Entrepreneurship/Placement
Jeremy Eaton
Jeremy Eaton works for a company that offers agriculture-related services by providing custom forage crop harvesting, including cutting, raking, baling and hauling hay. Eaton is responsible for operating a variety of equipment and interacting with hay producers. Eaton is a member of the Galt FFA Chapter in California, and his FFA advisors are Carl Wright, Derek Silva, Jordan Albiani and Patrick MacDonald.

Service-Learning – Entrepreneurship/Placement
Hayley Ann Hines
Hayley Ann Hines runs a food pantry at her school for students in need. In 2023, she collected $3,500 in non-perishable donations and over $13,000 in financial contributions for the pantry. Hines used grant funding to raise chickens and pigs, and the meat was used as a protein source for the pantry. Hines is a member of the Paola FFA Chapter in Kansas, and her FFA advisors are John Menefee and Thomas Schull.

The National FFA Organization is a school-based national youth leadership development organization of more than 1,027,200 student members as part of 9,235 local FFA chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

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About National FFA Organization
The National FFA Organization is a school-based national youth leadership development organization of more than 1,027,200 student members as part of 9,235 local FFA chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The FFA mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education. For more, visit the National FFA Organization online at FFA.org and on Facebook and Twitter.

About National FFA Foundation
The National FFA Foundation builds partnerships with industry, education, government, other foundations, and individuals to secure financial resources that recognize FFA member achievements, develop student leaders, and support the future of agricultural education. Governed by a 19-member board of trustees composed of educators, business leaders, individual donors and FFA Alumni, the foundation is a separately registered nonprofit organization. About 82 percent of every dollar received by the foundation supports FFA members and agricultural education opportunities. For more, visit FFA.org/Give.